Chemistry Partners

New Conversation 

Unknown Number: Why did you block me?

Harry Potter: Who are you?

Unknown Number: I don’t see how that is important. 

Harry Potter: It is important because I don’t know who I am bloody talking to!

Unknown Number: Someone is a little upset. 

Unknown Number can no longer reply to this conversation. 

– 

The BETTER trio

Draco Malfoy: I am going to die. 

Blaise Zambini: care to give context mate?

Pansy Parkinson: Oh it’s so bad the group chat has made a return

Blaise Zambini: what is so bad?

Pansy Parkinson: Draco was paired with potter for a chemistry project and he is slowly deteriorating from it

Pansy Parkinson: Yesterday, he went to the library and had to sit near a weasley and granger 

Blaise Zambini: oh 

Blaise Zambini: so why do you want to die this time?

Draco Malfoy: I am going to Potter’s fuckin house. 

Draco Malfoy: I don’t want to go to Potter’s house. 

Draco Malfoy: I will be surrounded by Potter things. It will kill me. 

Draco Malfoy: I will die today. Say your goodbyes now. 

Pansy Parkinson: You’re so dramatic draco

Blaise Zambini: i agree with pansy you’re being a little dramatic 

Draco Malfoy: I am not!

Draco Malfoy: Being in the general vicinity of Potter just gives me a stomach ache. 

Pansy Parkinson: Then just say no

Draco Malfoy: I can’t. 

Pansy Parkinson: Why not? It takes two seconds to pull up your and potter’s conversation and tell him you can’t

Draco Malfoy: I don’t want solutions, I want to complain.

Blaise Zambini: Are you a teenage girl with a crush or something mate

Blaise Zambini: bc that’s what you’re acting like

Draco Malfoy: Are you implying I have a crush on Potter?

Blaise Zambini: i wasn’t before but now i definitely am. 

Pansy Parkinson: I’ve been suspecting it since year four

Pansy Parkinson: it was that one time right before you made the dementor joke 

Blaise Zambini: oh i remember that

Blaise Zambini: lip bite and everything

Draco Malfoy: I am in need of new friends. 

Pansy Parkinson: Oh you love us

Draco Malfoy: I truly, genuinely, do not. 

Pansy Parkinson: :(

Blaise Zambini: you’ve made pansy sad

Pansy Parkinson: He loves leaving people on read i swear it’s an ego boost for him or something 

—- 

Harry Potter  < – > Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy: Potter I am outside of your house. 

Harry Potter: Have you ever tried knocking, Malfoy?

Draco Malfoy: I am not touching your door and besides my hands are full with the poster board. 

Draco Malfoy: I am currently using voice type and I look ridiculous because you refuse to open your door. 

Harry Potter: I am walking down currently, calm down

Draco Malfoy: Will your dogs be outside?

Draco Malfoy: I’d rather they not recognize me.

Harry Potter: Hermione and Ron have a fear, so yes. 

Draco Malfoy: Fantastic. Now, can you open your door or are you not tall enough to reach?

— 

“I am plenty tall enough, thank you,” Harry muttered, holding the door open for Draco. Draco looked him up and down, resisting the urge to laugh. He had changed since school ended about an hour ago and now wore a stained shirt with sweatpants that definitely wasn’t his size, bagging around his ankles. 

When he entered, he noticed a man, Mr. Dursley, sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand, next to him was a woman, who had a glass of wine in her hand. Except the moment she saw Draco, she placed the glass away, immediately trying to hide it by standing in front of it.

“Oh welcome to our home, don’t mind the mess,” She said. Draco glanced around, much to his surprise, the house was spotless with the exception of an empty beer bottle on the try next to the man.  “I am Mrs. Dursley, but you can call me Mrs. Petunia, and that is Mr. Dursley, my husband.”

Draco adjusted the poster board in his grip and held out his hand, “Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.”

“Malfoy? As in the Malfoy Incorporation? She questioned. 

“Harry, grab me ‘nother bottle,”' The man interrupted, not caring about Draco’s presence and much more focused on the T.V. Harry didn’t say anything as he walked past Draco into the Kitchen, holding his head down and praying that Draco wouldn’t comment. 

Draco turned his attention back to Mrs. Dursley nodded, “Yes, that Malfoy,” he said, side eyeing the man. 

“Harry did not mention that he is friends with a Malfoy,” She said, turning to Harry as he passed with the drink, handing it off to Mr. Dursley. She had a slight glare behind her smile, which made Draco highly uncomfortable.  

“We’re not–”

“I am a Malfoy, but that is not all I am,” Draco said, cutting Harry off. “I am here to work on a project, and if you don’t mind, we will be going now,” He said, turning to Harry. 

“Let me know if you need anything,” She said, her creepy smile following them as they walked up the stairs. 

The walls were completely clean, not a single speck of dust on anything Passing through the hallway, the floors were the same. The blue carpeted floors looked freshly vacuumed, and the bright color almost made Draco vomit. On the walls, Draco saw a plethora of photos and achievements dedicated to Harry’s family, but no Harry. Nothing indicated that Harry Potter lived in this house. 

They stopped in front of a door, which was mostly plain– with the exception of the loose door handle, chipped wood on the corners, and a fist-sized indent on it. Once again, Harry hoped Draco would ignore it. Harry opened the door, allowing Draco to enter. 

Inside, Harry had a small bed and desk, it was barely a room. It was about the size of a walk-in closet, Draco swore if he stood in the middle and stuck his arms out on both sides he could touch the walls. The room was lit by a lamp and he had some books on the shelves just above his bed. On his walls, he had a few wizard posters. His room was definitely nerdy. 

Opposite of the door was a window and just below it was a bean bag which Ron sat on, using his textbook as a platform for his paper. Hermione sat at the desk, sitting criss-cross as she wrote on her paper. 

“Oh he actually came,” Ron said, looking up at Draco. “I definitely thought he’d cancel.”

“Thanks for the high opinion, Weasley,” Draco said, walking in. 

“No problem.”

Harry sat on his bed, considering there was no room anywhere else. Draco stood awkwardly in the middle, holding the poster board still. He was fighting the urge to make a sarcastic comment.

“Are you going to sit or are you just going to stand there?” Harry asked, motioning toward the middle of his bed, leaving plenty of space between the two for the poster board. Draco rolled his eyes, placing the poster board on Harry’s bed and then grabbing their draft from his bag. He also pulled out paint markers, scissors, and a few other items for it. 

“You do know I have most of this right?” Harry questioned. 

Draco looked up at him from his bag, “No, I didn’t,” He said flatly. Harry took a deep breath, the first of many he would be taking. 

After about a half-hour of relative silence– a few words being exchanged to clarify where things went, Draco and Harry throwing jabs at each other, and Hermione keeping them on track– Ron let out an exasperated groan. Harry and Hermione turned their attention to him while Draco continued to carefully write on the poster board. 

“It’s too quiet,” He said. “We need music.”

“Not too loud,” Harry said.

“What’s that one bloke you listen to? You showed me his music a few weeks ago,” Ron asked, turning his head to Harry, “Coffee Cube something?” 

Harry furrowed his brows, “Café Tacvba? Why do you want to listen to them?” He asked. Draco almost did a full head turn at the sudden switch in pronunciation

“The lad's voice scratches an itch in my brain,” He said as he pressed the first song that appeared; Chilanga Banda. 

“Since when do you know Spanish?” Draco asked, looking at Harry with a more confused look than anything else. He knew he was some form of Hispanic but he never assumed he was Spanish-speaking. It was obvious with the light brown skin and curly black hair, but he never asked.

“I’’ve been learning since year two, you’ve been too busy insulting me to notice,” Harry said. 

“In all fairness, you’re quite easy to insult.”

Harry swore it was the millionth deep breath he took, “It would be easier to not insult me.”

“It brings me happiness though, and it’s just oh-so fun,” Draco grinned. Harry just sighed and began ignoring him. 

Draco watched him as Harry slightly muttered the lyrics under his breath, he didn’t miss a single one. Draco found himself staring at his lips, slightly chapped, it only took him a second to realize what he was doing. He quickly looked back down at the poster, he just stared at the poster. 

“Malfoy, I’m going to get some snacks, care to help?” Hermione said, suddenly standing up. She placed her notebook on the desk. 

“No,” He said, not even looking over at her. 

“I can go get it Hermione, you don’t have to,” Harry said, beginning to stand before Hermione shoved him back down.

“No, Harry, I insist. And Malfoy, can come help me.” She said, grabbing the back of Draco’s shirt and pulling him roughly off of the bed. He caught his balance before tugging his shirt away. 

“What the bloody hell–”  Hermione gave him the look, raising her eyebrows slightly as he glared up at him. He scoffed, “Whatever mudblood,” He said, crossing his arms as he followed her out. 

The moment the door closed behind them, Hermione reached up and grabbed the collar of Draco’s shirt, roughly yanking him down to her height to be face-to-face. 

“Why are you being an arse right now? What is so awful in your life that you cannot even give that poor lad a break?” Hermione asked, keeping her voice down but she looked about two seconds away from punching him in the face.

Draco tore himself from her grip, “Nothing. If I begin acting differently, he will know we know something is going on,” He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

“What is so wrong with that?” She asked, crossing her arms,over her chest “Then he knows he has people to support him.”

“That can make it worse, Granger, not like you would understand,” He scoffed, turning to walk down the stairs. 

Hermione grabbed his wrist to stop him, “What do you mean by that Malfoy?” She asked, if he were to take a moment to glance at her, he would’ve seen the concerned look in her eyes 

He didn’t respond and took his wrist back, beginning the walk down the stairs.  Hermione swiftly caught up, walking directly behind him, continuing to whisper questions until they were at the bottom of the staircase. 

“Mrs. Dursley, we fancy some snacks, if you don’t mind,” Hermione said, a sudden smile appearing on her face as she shoved herself in front of Draco. 

Mrs. Dursley immediately fixed her posture at the sight of Draco, trying to hide her newly filled wine glass once again. “Of course, we have some crisps, hobnobs, and others in the cupboard, feel free to grab as much as you want darling. If you fancy some tea there’s a kettle on the stove,” She said. 

“Thank you Mrs. Dursley,” Hermione said, walking into the kitchen and dragging Draco by his sleeve behind her. He rolled his eyes so much he was surprised they’re still attached to his brain. 

Hermione reached up into the cupboard and started placing a few items on the counter. Draco glanced around, some childhood artwork was stuck on the fridge with magnets, all the same signature, a Dudsley Dursley. The counter’s were glimmering clean and the sink was empty and spotless. THe kitchen looked like it had just been built. 

“Which do you want, Malfoy?” She asked, turning toward him after she picked out something for herself, Harry and Ron. 

“I’m not hungry,” He said. Hermioen grabbed a random one and tossed it to him. “Did you not hear me?” 

“I heard you, I just don’t care,” She said, turning her heels and exiting the kitchen. Draco begrudgingly followed her out. As Hermione began her walk up the stairs, Mrs Dursley stood up once more from her place on the couch, halting both their movements. 

“Mr. Malfoy, could we speak for a moment?” She asked, her eyes went to Hermione, “With some privacy,” She added. Draco glanced at Hermione, who stared at him. 

“Sure,” He said, more as a question, handing Hermione the bag and turning himself toward Mrs. Dursley. 

“I’ll be upstairs,” Hermione said, “Thank you Mrs. Dursley,” She said, smiling at the woman once more. 

“Of course darling,” She said, watching her like a hawk as she climbed the stairs. She motioned for Draco to follow her back into the kitchen, which he did. 

“How can I help you?” He asked, crossing his arms in front of himself. His pockets felt heavy, his phone seemed to be vibrating slightly but he ignored it. 

“I just wanted to thank you for being Harry’s partner for this project,” Her tone was definitely condescending. “He’s not the brightest teenager and I was very reluctant to let him have friends over.”

Draco felt an uncomfortable feeling rise in his chest, “He mentioned,” He muttered. 

“I don’t know if you are aware but my nephew is part… Hispanic,” She said slowly. Draco raised an eyebrow,  well he could assume. “And for me to not allow him out, it gives some resemblance as to what it would be like if he was being raised by his parents.”

“What exactly are you saying?” Draco asked, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. 

She stepped forward, “Well you see, part of Hispanic culture–” He did not like the way she was saying that “is strict parenting and all that. My point is, if I knew a Malfoy would be coming over I would’ve said yes immediately. A Malfoy is always welcome in our home”

Draco stared at her with a disgusted look on his face. He didn’t even bother to try and hide it. 

“Are you bloody insane or are you daft?!” He said, his voice raising, “His ethnicity has nothing to do with how you should be treating him! Trying to resemble how his parents would have raised him is not possible for you because of the person you are at heart which is a bloody slag. He is a brilliant seventeen year old with a bright future ahead of him and if you cannot comprehend that in your pea sized brain, you should not be raising anyone!” He was definitely shouting now. 

“Mr. Malfoy, I do not–”

“I am not done!” He said, slamming his hand down on their counter. The dam doors opened and everything came out like a flood, “Despite who your nephew is spending time with, they should all be welcome in this house, because he is only  friends with those who have a positive impact on him. He has the right mind to do so, unlike you clearly. And I may be a Malfoy, but that does not automatically make me a positive influence, if anything I am the worst influence around him. Treating your nephew as If he isn’t a person and doesn’t exist is inexcusable and I will be ensuring that the Dursley name comes nowhere near the Malfoy Incorporation. My father will know that you and your horrid husband are not allowed anywhere near the Malfoy name. I will make sure of it.” 

Mrs. Dursley had a horrified look on her face, her hand covering her mouth as Draco stared daggers into her soul. 

He heard glass break behind him, “You are no longer welcome in this home, lad,” He heard from behind him. He turned and saw Mr. Dursley with a broken beer bottle in his hand. “I suggest you leave now before I call the bobbies and have you arrested,” He threatened. Draco scoffed and almost laughed.

“Thank god, I’d rather not be here any longer with poxy’s like you two,” He said, putting his hands into his pockets and shoving past Mr. Dursley, who held out the broken bottle at him. Draco rolled his eyes and continued walking.

His breath and walk stopped when he saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron leaning over the staircase with their jaws practically on the floor. Harry went to say something but he couldn’t seem to form the words. It was Draco's turn to take a deep breath, a slow and deep one as he walked out the door, completely forgetting about his chemistry project.